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Sunday, November 7, 2010

New to me author? YesRead this author again? Maybe...Tearjerker? No Where did it take place? USFTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Summary (from goodreads.com):The #1 New York Times bestselling author delivers a truly suspenseful novel of a mother who must save her daughter from a threat she can hardly understand. What happened to nine-year-old Melanie during the six years she was subjected to terrifying experiments? And what is the unstoppable power that she can unleash from behind the "Door to December"?

First Sentence:
As soon as she finished dressing, Laura went to the front door and was just in time to see the Los Angeles Police Department squad car pull to the curb in front of the house.

Why did I pick this book?
Was in a reading rut. Very busy at work, so wanted to read something "fun" (but not chick lit) that won't require too much brain power - tried reading non-fiction, but just can't focus when I am too tired. Anyway, saw a thread on a forum where suggestions for scary books were made. I thought it may be fun to read a scary book (yeah I have a twisted sense of humor...) as I hadn't read any horror for a while, especially something that is chilling. There were two instances where I got scared after reading a book (1) after watching IT, I got scared turning the faucet on (okay that wasn't technically reading, but I did read the book later). (2) Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans by Malachi Martin (non-fiction). That was over 10 years ago so I am ready to read something scary again :) I had heard of Dean Koontz, but haven't read any of his books (if I did, it was a long time ago and I don't remember). I know he's often compared to Stephen King (I'd only read IT, but watched a few other movies and liked them, e.g. Misery, and other non-horror ones like Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption). This particular book was recommended on the forum, so I thought I'd give Koontz a try.

My thoughts:

For a 528 pages book, I expected a lot of twists and turns and scary stuff

Truth is? I guessed the one twist within the first few chapters of the book, but just read on to see if I guessed it right, and I did. That spoiled the fun. I don't think I'm particular smart, but I think after reading many murder / mystery / suspense / thrillers type of book, even if this one is more of a 'horror' book, you tend to pick up the clues a bit easier

So I was disappointed as it got a bit too predictable. The premise is interesting, but the book could've been shorter

The characters are fine, feel indifferent about them really. But you do get a sense of who they are. In fact, when I was reading, I could imagine this being made into a B-grade tele-movie.

Would I give Koontz a second chance? I did borrow another one of his books, False Memory, when I was browsing the library shelf while looking for this book. Will see if my mood feels like it. If you have read Koontz before, any recommendation? I don't mind that it has a bit of a paranormal edge. I used to read a lot of John Saul's books and really enjoyed them back then. Don't remember why I stopped... maybe time to pick one up again?

Rating: 2 Stars

Have you read this book?
If you have, I would love to hear what you think! I'll link your review here if you wish!

3 comments:

I have read a lot of Koontz and I don't find most of them to be scary. There is usually a paranormal/sci-fi twist to them and some suspense, but I don't put them in the same horror/scary genre as someone like King.

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5 Stars = Life changing!4 Stars = Inspiring3 Stars = Okay...2 Stars = Not for me1 Star = Meh0 Star - Did not finish (DNF)... They aren't necessarily worse than 1 star, just that I couldn't finish for one reason or another so I don't feel right to rate them.